Office of the VP for Communications – Keeping alumni and friends connected to U-M

Alumni Notes

Karen Glanz

BA ’74/MPH ’77/PhD ’79, reports that her father, Michael Glanz, MPH ’74, passed away in May 2014 in Philadelphia, Pa., at the age of 94. "He was a very loyal U-M alum," she says.

Jonathan Song

BA ’13/MA ’14, recently was named to the 2014 Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) cohort of Teaching Fellows. Selected from a pool of more than 180 applicants, Jonathan is one of 32 exceptionally talented, early-career science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics (STEM) teachers to be awarded a 2014 KSTF Teaching Fellowship. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and a Master of Arts in educational studies from Michigan. Jonathan secured a mathematics teaching position at University YES Academy High School, located in Detroit, for the 2014–2015 academic year. KSTF seeks to improve STEM education by building a stable, sustainable cadre of networked leading teachers, who are trained and supported as leaders from the beginning of their careers. The KSTF Teaching Fellows Program offers stipends, funds for professional development, grants for teaching materials, and opportunities for leadership development and mentoring for early-career STEM teachers through a comprehensive five-year fellowship. With an emphasis on inquiry and collaboration, the Teaching Fellows Program empowers participants to advance their teaching practice and student learning, while leading from the classroom. For more information on the Fellowship, please visit www.kstf.org.

Matthew V. Horning

AB ’91 (Econ)/MBA ’01, is City of Ann Arbor Treasurer. On July 30, 2014, he was installed as President of the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States & Canada (APTUS&C) at the annual meeting of the association in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the conference, Matthew also was awarded the Dr. Jackson R.E. Phillips Award. The Phillips Award, which is the association’s highest honor, recognizes one APTUS&C member annually for professional leadership in, and significant contribution to professional treasury management. The APTUS&C’s mission is to provide quality treasury management education and training, professional certification, peer interaction, and professional connection opportunities for public treasury and financial officials.

Spencer Coan

BA, ’05, is senior VP at SK Commercial Realty where he leads the investments division and serves as listing broker or buyer representative on large commercial transactions. He also provides consulting services for third party owners and investors.” Prior to joining SKCR, Coan served as VP of Investment Sales and Senior Analyst at Ackerman & Co., and Acquisitions Analyst for Levy Affiliated Holdings in Santa Monica, Calif. In these roles, Coan underwrote nearly $2 billion in real estate assets across the country, helping to acquire over 1.1 million square feet of commercial property. Since 2012, Coan has completed $150 million of investment sales, earning a position in the top tier of producers in the 2014 Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS®’ Million Dollar Club. Coan is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), a LEED Green Associate (LEED GA), and a licensed salesperson in Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina. In addition, he is a member of the Atlanta Commercial board of Realtors, CAIA, CCIM, NAIOP, and the U.S. Green Building Council. He volunteers and supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Red Cross, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Nebojsa Stojkovic

BA, Ed., is a math teacher at Walled Lake Central High School in Walled Lake, Mich. He placed second for the 2014 “Live With Kelly and Michael’s” top teacher search, which was announced on the ABC morning talk show May 20. “Neb Stojkovic builds relationships with students and families,” Superintendent Kenneth Gutman said in a local article about the nomination. “He is an outstanding teacher, coac,h and person. He gives from the heart in each and every encounter he has with students. He is selfless, giving and most importantly, he cares about the young people he serves.” In addition to teaching, Neb trains athletes and oversees the nonprofit Passion for Life, which raises money to help children with medical needs.

Derek Kerr

BSE Aero ’81/MBA ’86, was honored in May 2014 by Institutional Investor magazine as one of the best CFOs in America. Kerr is American Airlines Group Chief Financial Officer. Honorees were selected based on results of a survey conducted from May-August 2013, which polled more than 2,500 analysts and portfolio managers. CFOs were rated on a number of qualities such as credibility, industry knowledge, and transparency of financial reporting. As CFO for American Airlines Group and its principal subsidiary company, American Airlines, Kerr oversees financial planning and analysis, corporate finance and treasury functions, purchasing, controller and audit functions, and investor relations.

Terrance Sargent

BS Arch. ’71/MUP ’73, is co-founder and design principal at the Atlanta-based architecture and planning firm Lord Aeck Sargent (LAS). In spring 2014 Terry received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Huron Valley (Michigan) chapter. Terry has been practicing architecture since 1973. He is a widely known designer with more than 60 architectural honors and awards, and more than 80 featured articles in various publications.

Don R. Powell

BA ’71/MSW ’76/MA ’77/PhD ’79, received the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. The award recognizes an individual who has made landmark contributions to people in Michigan and throughout the United States through research, teaching, professional practice, and volunteerism related to health and wellness. Dr. Powell is the founder, president, and CEO of the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, which was established in 1983. The Institute is a leading developer and provider of health and productivity management programs. More than 13,000 corporations, hospitals, MCO’s unions, and government agencies use the lifestyle change programs and health education materials he developed. He is also the author of 15 best-selling books including Healthier at Home and 101 Ways to Well-Being. In addition, Dr. Powell taught in U-M’s Psychology Department for eight years where he was nominated for the “Distinguished Teaching Award.” His doctoral work was in tobacco cessation and led to the development of the nationally recognized Smokeless Program, which has been commended in two Surgeon General’s reports.

Greg Charleston

BBA ’84/MBA ’94, is senior managing director of Conway MacKenzie Inc. and leader of the firm’s Atlanta regional office. He is also a certified turnaround professional, certified financial analyst and CPA. He has recently taken the reins as president of the Turnaround Management Association, Atlanta chapter (TMA Atlanta).

Charleston will dedicate two years to this volunteer position and lead the chapter’s monthly programming and networking activities. He has been active in TMA Atlanta for seven years and has served as a member of its board of directors for the past five years.

Charleston draws from more than 20 years of experience in turnaround consulting, financial crisis management, mergers and acquisitions, and business valuation. He has served as chief restructuring officer and as interim CEO and CFO on several engagements. He has worked with clients in various industries, including health care, transportation, aviation, food manufacturing, publishing, retail, distribution, construction and automotive.

Conway MacKenzie Inc. is an international consulting firm specializing in turnaround and crisis management, manufacturing operations consulting, performance improvement and litigation support services. The firm is headquartered in Detroit and has offices in Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas; Dayton, Ohio; Frankfurt, Germany; Houston; London; Los Angeles; and New York. Additional information can be found at www.ConwayMacKenzie.com.